An upcoming film festival will give local audiences a rare chance to see some thought-provoking films about women’s issues.

Soroptimist International of White Rock will present its first Women In Film fundraiser, Sat. Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at First United Church, 15385 Semiahmoo Ave.

“It’s our first attempt at doing a film festival,” said Liz Aubert, club treasurer, adding that it was inspired by a similar event held by the South Fraser Women’s Services Society, which is co-sponsor of the current festival.

“We try to do a fundraiser every year. We did Women Making A Difference awards for the last two years, but we decided we wanted to change our tack this year and try something different.”

In addition to providing a venue, First United Church – which holds an annual Social Issues Film Festival – is also providing expertise in organizing the event, Aubert said.

“In addition to focusing on women’s issues, we were also trying to find films that were made by women,” she said.

The festival will raise money for several worthy Soroptimist causes, Aubert said, including the local Re-Start project, designed to help women who are leaving transition houses and setting up households of their own.

“These women have usually left their homes with nothing and are often unable to get access to the things they need every day,” Aubert said.

“We give out kits that include bedding, crockery, dishes and pots and pans – everything for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.”

Project Sierra, sponsored by Soroptimist International, will also benefit from a book sale held in conjunction with the film festival, Aubert said.

“We’ve been collecting lightly-used books by women authors for the sale,” she said. “Proceeds go to help women and children in Sierra Leone, who are particularly disadvantaged.”

The films range in tone from lighthearted cartoons to serious features, Aubert said, some from the National Film Board, but many from other sources.

“We found one, Mothers’ Courage, which is about the women of Rwanda and how they got back on their feet after the genocide of 1994.”

Killing Us Softly 3 is a further examination of the way women are portrayed in the media, and some of the negative images that are perpetuated, she said.

“The Other Side Of The Picture is about the difficulties women artists have in gaining status as compared with men artists.”

Another film, Company Of Strangers, follows a group of elderly women whose bus breaks down in the wilderness, and the discussions about a wide range of issues that ensue.

“It’s a fictional film but about very real issues – it’s almost like a docu-drama,” Aubert said.

Those attending the festival will see some short films and have a choice of two features in the morning and two features in the afternoon.

For those buying a full day ticket ($25) a light lunch is included. A half-day ticket is $10.

“The festival is presenting films that aren’t see that often – although I believe Company of Strangers has been shown on television, I don’t know where else anybody would be likely to see them.

“Hopefully the films will give people food for thought. Everybody is welcome to attend, although the films aren’t really suitable for children – I don’t think this is a children’s event.

“But just because these are films by women on women’s issues doesn’t mean that men can’t see them – in fact, I think it’s a good idea if they do.”